THE RESIDENT MAGISTRACY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 534, 14 January 1882, Page 3

THE RESIDENT MAGISTRACY.

To the Editor. Sm, —I observe that the Timaru Herald contains a pungent remonstrance against the supposed intention of the Government to appoint Mr Beswick to the Resident Magistracy of Timaru, on the ground of that gentleman’s inexperience in the discharge of magisterial duties, and the importance of the Timaru district in a judicial sense. I think it is quite on the cards that, if Mr Beswick is not sent to Timaru, he will he appointed to the Resident Magistracy of Ashburton, and as it will be too late to cry out when the mischief is done, I trust that you, following the example of the Herald , will ask that a more suitable person than Mr Beswick may be appointed to preside over the Ashburton Court, because, in addition to the reasons given by the Timaru Herald, there is the further objection to such an appointment in our case, that Mr Beswick not so very long ago was carrying on business here, and it is obviously inexpedient that a gentleman who has been mixed up in business transactions with all sorts of people in the district should be called upon to adjudicate in the disputes between those persons. The inhabitants of Ashburton have just cause of complaint at the inattention of the Government to their requirements in magisterial matters. After a great deal of pressure they did give ns a competent Resident Magistrate, in the person of Mr Wood, but the first opportunity was taken to whisk him away 'to a distant part of the colony, since when a magisterial visit once a week has Itaen deemed sufficient for our needs. Such a state of things gives rise to many inconveniences, and I trust the authorities will see fit promptly to appoint a permanent Resident Magistrate for Ashburton, who will possess ample experience and cliscretion, and whose impartiality will be beyond dispute.—l am, etc., CJpirrvTiT t?t> Ashburton, 13th Jan., 1882.